Aanii fellow Tribal members and interested readers

Chief Maynard Kahgegab

7/14/2003 12:00:00 AM

The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan recently made its presence at two significant events in Washington, D.C. First, our Tribal veterans group traveled to the nation's capitol on May 26 to participate in the Lori Piestewa Memorial. The ceremony acknowledged Native American veterans and specifically Lori Piestewa, a Hopi Tribal Nation member who was killed during the recent Iraq war. Tribal Council was honored to have our veterans participate in this important ceremony while we all gave a moment of thanks and praise to our military veterans, throughout the country.

Our Tribal Elders represented the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe at the 2003 President's Dinner in Washington, D.C. The event featured President George W. Bush. Tribal Council was proud to have our Elders in attendance for the President's Dinner and appreciate their efforts in advancing our positive government-to-government relations in Washington, D.C.

The Tribal Community Meeting was a great success and many Tribal members joined Tribal Council in celebrating the positive outcomes of our efforts to enhance the social infrastructure of the Tribal community. For those of you who were unable to attend, Tribal Council shared with those in attendance significant program features forthcoming. A new residential treatment and domestic violence center will soon be constructed along with a new Tribal school. Tribal Council shared with the membership the projects we are currently developing for delivery in 2004. Improved Tribal roads and water and sewer enhancements are just a few.

Tribal Council also shared with the membership current state legislative activities that threaten the economic sovereignty of our Tribe. Council is committed to fighting these threats head-on. I have said it before and I will say it again, we will not lay down and allow our economic sovereignty to be threatened. You can rest assured that Tribal Council will take all necessary steps to defend your quality of life. As always, you are personally invited to visit our reservation and share in our proud history and culture. For more information about our government activities and programs please visit our web page at www.sagchip.org.

Miigwetch

Chief Maynard Kahgegab, Jr.